The Roman Forum – Part 1

The Forum was the center for public life in ancient Rome. Today, the Forum lies mostly in ruins. At the northwest corner of the forum stands the Arch of Septimius Severus dedicated in 203 AD to commemorate the victories of Septimius Severus and his sons against the Parthians. Near the Arch stands the Column of Phocus dedicated in 608 AD to the Eastern Roman Emperor Phocus. The Church of Santi Luca e Martina, commissioned in 625 AD, is also nearby. Of the Temple of Saturn, the oldest temple in the Forum, only eight columns and the podium remain. Even less of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus has survived. Only three columns remain standing.